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| Members of local activist group Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination (SADD) hold a press conference to condemn Seoul Metro's alleged media manipulation against the group in front of the city-owned corporation's headquarters in Seongdong District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap |
By Lee Hae-rin
Seoul Metro is facing fierce criticism for allegedly compiling an internal report on using media manipulation against a disability advocacy group that has been holding daily protests since last year.
Local broadcaster YTN reported that it acquired a document titled "Media tactics against social minority groups: Focus on Solidarity against Disability Discrimination (SADD) protest," from the enterprise's online bulletin board, Thursday.
The document, created this month, contains 25 PowerPoint slides ― in Seoul Metro's official template ― and displays the words "Seoul Metro PR department" and the company logo on the cover page. It was taken offline after the news report, but local disability advocacy group Beminor disclosed the full document on its website, Thursday.
"Jam wheelchair wheels in the gap between the platform and the train, take a picture of wheelchairs blocking train doors and publicize it naturally to prove the intentional obstruction of metro operations," the document reads.
It contains several other detailed guidelines for creating negative perceptions of the protesters and mentions the "underdog effect" as the reason behind the company's current unfavorable public image.
To minimize media scrutiny against Seoul Metro, the presentation suggests taking an "emotional stance" by claiming a lack of funds is the primary factor, thereby appealing to public sympathy.
The document even presents an inappropriate (and in poor taste) analogy to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, stating that the transportation company is like a hopeless majority in a battle against a fierce minority and has few options.
In response, SADD condemned the company's alleged media manipulation plans in its official statement. "Seoul Metro tarnished disabled people's just demands for basic rights by pitting disabled people and others against each other," the group said, demanding an official apology and resignation from Seoul Metro's CEO.
However, the company denied any link to the document and claimed it was created and shared voluntarily by an employee from the PR department. The company posted an apology on its social media channels Thursday, saying, "We are heartbroken and afraid this incident might cast a shadow over our countless efforts in the past to service the disabled and elderly."
The employee who compiled and uploaded the document, identified by his surname Yoon, told The Korea Times, Friday, that he was "frustrated with confronting the press and public reactions over the past months" and created the report of his own will after work to share his concerns and insights, but did not present it to his colleagues during office hours. He said he was transferred to another department as of Friday.
Many people find Seoul Metro and Yoon's response unacceptable.
"It's hard to believe he made it voluntarily because he was using the company template. No employee would do such a thing in their spare time and anyone who has worked for a company would know that," Seoul-based freelancer Jeong Mi-joo, 32, said, arguing that Seoul Metro could be setting up the employee as a scapegoat.
"What angers me the most is that a public corporation tried to make a fool of the people with such underhanded manipulation. Those suggestions (on the document) avoid confronting the real issues," Jeong said.
Seoul Metro is a public enterprise affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government that operates subway lines 1 to 8. It is set to receive a total 65.5 billion won ($ 54 million) in government subsidies this year.
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